Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis, published in 1943, is the sequel to Out of the Silent Planet (1938), with its protagonist, Ransom, crossing space again, but this time, to the planet Perelandra (i.e. Venus). When the professor/philologist arrives there, he knows not what life inhabits the planet, nor what his mission is, having been sent at the request of an Eldila (Eldil are celestial beings who are the guardians of planets).
Ransom finds himself on a planet that is mostly covered in water, and when he makes it ashore on an island, he meets a woman, named the Green Lady, who lives on a floating island. He discovers that she can command the creatures, including a dragon, as well as the birds, and that she has been waiting for the King to return.
That’s how the story begins, but things take a drastic turn when a space-ship arrives on the planet, with Weston, a professor and scientist, holding Ransom against his will (once again!). I won’t reveal any spoilers in this review, but will say that it becomes a battle of wits between Ransom and Weston as they debate to see who will decide the fate of this planet, since it all rests on a placed called the “Fixed Land.”
C.S. Lewis paints a world with colorful imagery and fantastic dialogue that holds your attention throughout the novel. I found myself engrossed in the debates between Ransom and Weston with the tension never letting up, as it felt like Ransom might lose unless he figures out a way to get the upper hand in the debate. But the story is not just about winning a debate (which centers on the will of Maleldil–the creator of the planets), as there is something grave at stake, in which all of life on Perelandra lies in the hands of Ransom, and if he could save it from catastrophe.
Fallton Havenstonne 